Manhattanhenge Instagram Pictures

Spectacular Views of the Manhattanhenge Sun

Twice a year the sun sets upon the bustle of Manhattan and precisely aligns with the man-made street grid, "illuminating both the north and south sides of every cross street of the borough's grid." Likened to the city's version of Stonehenge by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the Big Apple phenomenon dubbed "Manhattanhenge" occurred this week. Nearly blocked from view by storm clouds, the sun made a brief appearance to the delight of the camera-ready crowds on the street.

Take a look at the selection of our favorite Manhattanhenge pictures of past and present as spotted on Instagram. If you missed the solar viewing party this month, have your camera phone ready on July 12 and 13 when the grid will glow with astronomical accuracy again.